First point of season for Stockport

home pack. Full credit went to the front row of Simon Metcalfe, Andy Broadhurst andTony Thoma, who also scored a try as he was driven over by the pack.

But this was a huge effort by the whole team, the back five in the scrum never stopped and created some good attacks.

After the dominance of the Billingham backs when they beat Stockport 79-10 earlier in the season, the centre pairing of Simon Green and Simon Curry tackled well and the Billingham backs were restricted from their free running game.

As it was, Stockport were unable to clear a penalty attempt and were turned over for Billingham to score a last minute try for a 24-19 victory.

Stockport had a lot of early possession but were restricted to their own half and Billingham broke through for their centre to score after five minutes, the try was converted.

Wing James Kean was yellow carded on 20 minutes as Stockport defended a sustained Billingham attack.

Billingham tapped a penalty and scored a second converted try on 25 minutes but the home side were very competitive and defended well to keep the score at 14-0 to the visitors at half time.

After a period of pressure by Billingham, Stockport tapped a penalty and the visitors had a forward sent to the sin bin for not being 10 metres.

From the resulting line out, Stockport created a good drive for Thoma to touch down. There was no conversion, making the score 14-5.

A good run and kick ahead by Stockport wing Alex Terry set up a good position and after three dominant Stockport scrums the referee awarded a penalty try, which was converted by Scott Redfern for 14-12.

Stockport were beaten to the ball from the restart and the Billingham backs did a loop move that cut through the home defence. There was no conversion and the visitors led 19-12.

Stockport turned over a line out and a good drive resulted in another yellow card for Billingham.

The hosts opted for a scrum and another penalty try was the result to bring Stockport level at 19-19.

Billingham had a penalty to go ahead but the kick missed, Stockport secured the ball but were unable to clear it and Billingham got the turn over and scored in the corner for a 24-19 victory but at least Stockport had their bonus point.